Thread: Some help with honing

Hi everyone. I just started straight shaving in February, and have enjoyed it so far. My first razor was from an antique shop and was sent to Lynn for honing originally. I also got a wacker for my anniversary in June. I have sharpened both (initial sharpen for the wacker and touch up on the antique) a time or two since then with my 4k/8k norton.

So far, I haven't been real happy with my sharpening and am currently investigating how to improve. The wacker right now just shaves terrible. The antique still does well, but needs a sharpen also.

I've been doing some reading and have come up with the following plan?:

I intend to stop and get some sandpaper tonight and make sure my norton stone is good and flat.

I've read up on the pyramid technique (and watched the Lynn video, I have the DVD), which I will use as a sharpening technique this weekend. I think one problem so far is that I've been scared to "over hone" the blade. I've only touched the 4k side maybe 2-3 strokes, and just got scared I was going to ruin the blade. Now that I understand the pyramid technique, I will be implementing that.

Additionally I was thinking of getting some paste involved for a finer finish after the pyramid hone. On this subject however, the information is a bit overwhelming.

I was thinking of getting this paddle strop. I already have a TM Heirloom Artisan for my usual stropping, so if I go this route, I'll probably get the paddle designed for paste only. Additionally, I was considering ordering some chromium oxide from ChrisJ. This will provide a 0.5 micron grit, correct? I understand the chrom ox is more desirable than the 0.5 diamond.

Does this sound like a reasonable way to get a good finish on my blade? I also thought I could use the paste in between sharpening for a touch up before a strop and shave. Is that an appropriate use of the paste?

Some questions:
What about getting other types of pastes, I've seen reference to 0.25 and 0.1. Are these for sharpening or just "polishing"?

When people say "polish" they just mean polish right? As in, make it shiny but don't really add any performance to the blade? (I want to make sure I understand the lingo)

Should I look for another type of stone instead of the paddle strop and paste?

Thanks in advance.

if i did understand right you will need norton 8k side and chromium oxide+paddle strop.this should be good enough for now.people uses 4k side to put bevel. your razor should be ok .as far as you have not hit the edge to something,.if you want to put a good edge then you will need to think buying belgian,escher shapton etc.chin 12k is very good
hope this helps

There are many options however if you just need a touchup I would stay away from the 4K. Concentrate on the 8K and then either a pasted strop or a higher grit hone like 12K.

Usually when they say polish it doesn't really refer to polishing the edge but putting a very fine finish on the edge which does polish the edge but that's just a by product of the process not the intent.